Jane Porter is the author of several successful popular fiction books including Easy on the Eyes, Flirting with Forty, Mrs. Perfect and Odd Man Out. Her next book, She’s Gone Country, will be released on August 23, 2010. Thanks to the folks at five spot and Hachette Book Group, we’re giving you a sneak peek right now. The following is an excerpt from Chapter One.

Brick calls me on his cell about an hour later. “That was the most boring sermon ever, Shey. You owe me.”

I grin at the misery in his deep voice. He might be the oldest and I might be the youngest but we’ve always been tight. “You don’t have to pretend to like church just because she’s here,” I answer, taking a step outside the house to stretch and stand on the screened porch with its view of the oak lined drive. More oak trees dot the pasture between the house and the six stall barn. There’s not a lot else to see but trees, cows, and land. Mama and Pop lived here for fifty-some years, and Pop’s parents before that.

“If it makes her happy,” he says.

“That’s why you’ll go to heaven and I won’t,” I laugh and ruffle my hair. I’ve always gotten along well with all my brothers, but I enjoy teasing Brick the most, probably because he takes his job as the oldest so damn seriously. “You all on your way home now?”

“No. We’re going for breakfast. Mama’s still worked up, and Charlotte thought a good hot meal would put her in a better mood, especially when she’s driving back to Jefferson this afternoon. Don’t want her on the road when she’s in a mood.”

“No, we certainly don’t. So where are you going, and are we invited?”

“Um, Shey, you’re the reason Mama’s in a bad mood. You’re probably better off staying at the house.”

“Gotcha.” My lips twist in a rueful smile. My mother and I have a funny relationship. Given that I’m the only daughter and the baby of the family, you’d think we would have been close. Only it didn’t work out that way. Mama prefers boys. But I can’t complain. I certainly wasn’t neglected growing up. I had three brothers to chase after and always was the apple of my Daddy’s eye. “We’ll see you later, then, and don’t rush your meal. We’ll be here when you return.”